On Monday, May 21, 2012, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid (CMS) published a reminder that, effective for services provided on or after July 1, 2012, the statutory moratorium allowing certain pathologists and independent laboratories to bill for the technical component (TC) of pathology services expires. This means the TC for those surgical pathology services provided under arrangement to Medicare hospital patients only will be considered covered and payable by Medicare if billed by the hospital. The hospital will receive additional payment under the Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) for services provided to outpatients, but such services are considered included in the diagnosis-related group reimbursement for inpatients
The 2012 Mississippi legislative session was closely watched as Gov. Phil Bryant and Lt.
The May 11, 2012, Federal Register includes the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) proposed rule changes to the Long-Term Care Hospitals Prospective Payment System (LTCH PPS) for federal fiscal year 2013. Among the changes in the proposed rule: LTCH Rate Updates: The proposed LTCH-specific market is based solely on Medicare cost report data of LTCHs and excludes Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities (IRFs) and Inpatient Psychiatric Facilities (IPFs) for the first time
Recent changes to Medicare Part A mean skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) and their therapists must remain vigilant to make sure therapy services are provided consistently. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services clarified an End of Therapy Other Medicaid Required Assessment (OMRA) must be completed for Medicare Part A patients who miss three consecutive days of therapy services, using an assessment reference date (ARD) of the first, second or third day after the last therapy treatment. The approaching holidays may create difficulties delivering therapy services on a regular schedule as therapy staff take time off or skilled residents spend extra time with family.